RESIDENTS who have nicknamed a Thornton road the "Valley of Death" have renewed their calls for a proposed link road to be built before there is a fatal accident.

The road would link Briar Road with Rossendale Avenue South through the controversial low-cost housing site bought by Wyre Housing Association for just £1.

Wyre mayor, Councillor Leonard Jolley, said: "Money from the sale of the land could have gone towards a link road - you can't buy much with a pound!"

Peter Myerscough, who lives on Rossendale Avenue South, said: "Briar Road is narrow and has no pavements at this point.

"Parked vehicles on Victoria Road severely handicap drivers' visibility there and there have been accidents.

"It's only a matter of time before there is a fatality."

Residents have dismissed the council's sale of the land for £1 as a waste of money and as a contributing factor to the expected rise in council tax.

Peter continued: "Whether the houses get built or not, the link road needs to be built."

Coun Jolley agreed: "The link road planned has been earmarked for many many years, but whenever the council bring it up the county council say it's not a priority and knock it down the list.

"It is a semi-rural road and at the Victoria Road West end, it goes into a bottleneck which only one car can fit through.

"The council tried at one time to make it a one way road - that would make it a cul-de-sac for residents - and we fought very hard to have it quashed.

"It's a necessary link for the community - it's the peoples' land and let the people have what they want."

Ian Henderson, speaking on behalf of WHA, said: "The idea of a link road is old news.

"The borough council has reserved the line for a road to go in should the county council go ahead with it."

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